The role of shelterbelt for soil management in Ethiopia

Abstract

Soil is a vital component for the growth of trees and shrubs in the shelterbelts agroforestry practices. Management of trees has a critical contribution to soil improvements. People's use of shelterbelts is varying across agroecology zones of Ethiopia. Some nations use it as their cultural expression, while the others use it as area demarcation (farming and home). In shelterbelt agroforestry practice, Millettia ferruginea, Sesbania sesban and Acacia abyssinica legumes tree species were deliberately planted for soil management across agro-ecologies. Considering the population and the farm size of farmers in Ethiopia, most farmers' knowledge of shelterbelts for soil management is scantly documented. This is due to a low level of awareness and expert consultancy. Therefore, this paper reviews the soil management roles and possible threats, opportunities, and challenges of shelterbelts. This review paper was developed through using related published papers. Scientists reported that areas covered by well-managed shelterbelts had good soil physical, biological, and chemical properties. The soil quality and fertility of the area further improved through good soil microbial activities. The tree crop compatibility, climatic factors, land use policy, and scarcity of land were among the possible threat and challenges to shelterbelts establishment. Generally, good tree and shrub management skills result in a high level of land productivity. Therefore, further development planners should focus on the extensive demonstration of shelterbelt practices as well as training and monitoring of farmers on such issues for their livelihood improvements.